Play Therapist

Educators Wales; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job description

Salary

Grade 9 (40777-£45091) per annum pro rata

Contract

Temporary until 10/03/28

Hours

Part Time 22.5 hours per week

Location

Various schools across the authority

Overview

We are currently looking for a Play Therapist to join our team.

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and innovative qualified Play Therapist to work with pupils from Years 1-6 across primary schools within Neath Port Talbot. Some work may also be undertaken outside of school hours and outside the school setting.

In addition to providing direct Play Therapy, you will have an important role in delivering group work where needed. You will also run workshops with groups of children and young people and deliver training when required. You will play an integral part in developing the School Based Counselling Service within the authority, including collaborative working with other staff within the Inclusion Service and taking part in multi-disciplinary consultations with schools. Enhancing the skills of school based staff will also be an important element of the post.

You will join a friendly, lively and innovative School Based Counselling Team who are committed to assisting the LEA in the achievement of increased inclusion and raising educational standards. Committed to the concept of inclusive education, you will have an understanding of the challenges facing education in deprived areas and be a passionate supporter of high expectations and achievement for all pupils.

Team Testimonials

What current team members say about working in NPT SBCS:

"It is certainly true that no day in this job is the same! I have been working as a School Based Counsellor for three years now and find the role is stimulating and highly rewarding. It is a privilege to be able to work with children and young people therapeutically and to be part of a team that is supportive and allows space for individuality and creative ways of working."

"A day in the life of a school counsellor is rich in the range in client presentations, challenging, rewarding and varied."

"I am so proud of what we do as a team!"

"The culture of the service is warm and supportive and a place that you feel heard. It is open to individuality with an abundance of knowledge and skills. We come together to help each other to achieve the best outcomes while making good friends in the process."

About the Service

Neath Port Talbot School Based Counselling Service (NPT SBCS) is a multi-modality team of therapists comprised of School Based Counsellors, Play Therapists and a Drama Therapist. NPT SBCS is committed to helping Children and Young People (CYP) address emotional and mental health issues so that they may rise through adversity, achieve their potential and lead fulfilling lives. This is achieved through the provision of counselling and child therapy to CYP in Years 1-13 across NPT. Counsellors and Play Therapists provide targeted therapy to CYP in order to address a range of emotional and mental health issues. We support schools in this joint endeavour through consultation, support and high quality in house training which is available to head teachers, school Governors, teaching and non‑teaching staff.

Additionally, the service is passionate about addressing school staff wellbeing due to the well documented link between staff wellbeing and pupil wellbeing, thorough initiatives such as the School Staff Supervision Service and School Staff Counselling Service.

Qualifications and Experience

We welcome applications from those who hold a Play Therapy qualification approved by BAPT/PTUK and are accredited/registered with a relevant professional body (i.e. BAPT/PTUK subject to interview and D.B.S. check).

You will have experience of working with children and young people.

An understanding of the education system and the barriers or issues that contribute to children and young people disengaging from school.

Experience of working and liaising with other agencies.

A sound knowledge of appropriate referral systems for Health and Education within Neath Port Talbot and neighbouring Authorities.

Experience of lone working and within community settings.

A thorough knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures.

Benefits

• Hybrid working (in some roles) and flexible working schemes to improve your work life balance
• Benefit from a competitive employee package with a remarkable 22.4% employer pension contribution
• Enjoy a holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years' service (not forgetting the additional 8 bank holidays too)
• Access discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure
• Utilise the cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and cycling equipment
• Purchase a new car through Tusker salary sacrifice scheme
• Enjoy exclusive discounts at local and national retailers with the Smart Spend app through our staff wellbeing group.

Contact

Should you require any further information, please contact Rhian Miller, School Based Counselling Service Manager ( [e-mail] ) to arrange an informal discussion.

Other Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure.

You will be a frontline/community based worker.

Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.

The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.

Welsh language skills are desirable.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council. Please note that applicants must meet all the essential criteria, as shown in the person specification, to qualify for a guaranteed interview. If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you. Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.

At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot. We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees. We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.

Closing Date

Closing date required: 20/02/2026